Mogadishu, Somalia – The Gambia and Somalia have launched a new partnership with Türkiye aimed at enhancing their forensic investigation capabilities, as African nations increasingly turn to science and international cooperation to tackle complex criminal cases.
Officials from both countries confirmed that delegations have engaged Turkish institutions specializing in forensic science, crime scene analysis, and digital investigations. The collaboration will focus on training law enforcement personnel, establishing modern laboratories, and sharing best practices in handling evidence in line with international standards.
For years, limited technical infrastructure and insufficient forensic expertise have hampered justice systems across parts of Africa, allowing serious crimes such as terrorism, financial fraud, gender-based violence, and homicide to go unresolved. Somalia, which is battling insurgent threats, has emphasized the urgency of scientific methods to support counterterrorism and criminal accountability. The Gambia has similarly prioritized forensic reform following past governance reforms.
Türkiye, which has positioned itself as a strategic partner for African states in defense, policing, and judicial cooperation, is expected to provide both on-site experts and scholarship opportunities for specialized training in Ankara and Istanbul.
Security analysts say the tripartite initiative could serve as a model for wider regional integration in forensic development if successfully implemented. By embracing science-driven investigations, both Somalia and The Gambia hope to reduce reliance on confessions and eyewitness accounts, and instead build justice systems rooted in credible evidence.
Implementation plans are expected to be finalized in the coming months, with joint task forces already being drafted to coordinate the rollout.